Professional Resources

Career Opportunity: Senior Director, International Research Programs

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

New York City preferred

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Founded in 1946, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalmssociety.org) is a collective of passionate individuals who want to bring about a world free of multiple sclerosis. The Society funds research around the world, furthers education, and provides services and programs to people affected by MS, including 400,000 people who live with multiple sclerosis.

The Society has a nationwide network of chapters with its national offices located in New York City, Denver and Washington DC. In total, 1200 employees and more than 500,000 volunteers support the Society's work annually. Approximately 75% of the Society's annual expenditures go towards research, services and programs for people with MS and their families, support and education for health care professionals, and federal, state and local advocacy efforts.

In 2012 the National MS Society invested over $43.3 million to support over 350 new and ongoing projects.

Position Description

The Senior Director, International Research Programs will have responsibility for the Society's international research programs, including the scientific review and management of the Progressive MS Alliance (Alliance) research grant portfolio. He or she will report to the Associate Vice-President of Discovery Research and be a key member of the Society's Research Programs Department. The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute to strategy development, scientific review, project management, and coordination of other Society sponsored international research efforts. The preference is for this position to be housed in the Society's New York City office; however alternative workplace arrangements will be considered on a case by case basis.

Major Responsibilities

Direct the scientific review of Alliance funding opportunities and other Society sponsored international research programs. This includes coordination of application peer review, recruitment of reviewers to serve on scientific review committees, and providing applicants with rapid and appropriate responses concerning the outcome of the review process.

Manage an active portfolio grants funded by the Alliance and other international programs. This includes key activities such as regular communication with stakeholders (grantees, Alliance and Society leadership), monitoring of research progress, engagement with researchers to ensure intellectual property protection, and assessment of outcomes.

Supervise a program administrator who will assist in the activities of the Alliance and other international programs.

Organize and administer international research task forces to help identify new areas of research that require further exploration. Develop action plans and develop new initiatives to address research gaps and opportunities.

Represent the Alliance and the Society at scientific meetings and other appropriate research/policy forums.

Communicate research progress and strategy effectively with all stakeholders of the Society.

Qualifications and Experience Needed

A doctoral degree (MD, PhD or comparable) in an area of study directly relevant to MS and 5-7 years of post-graduate research (laboratory or clinical) experience.

A strong scientific background in multiple sclerosis research or a relevant disease (inflammatory and/or neurodegenerative diseases).

Two or more years of research administration/leadership experience desired.

Experience working on and leading geographically distributed teams.

Able to think broadly and strategically about research while maintaining attention to detail.

Strong interpersonal, people management and problem-solving skills.

Outstanding oral and written communication skills with a range of audiences including the scientific/medical community and lay audiences.

Excellent computer skills including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and willingness to develop competency with database and grant administration software platforms.

A leadership style that is proactive, flexible, collegial, and allows for new ideas.

A high energy level and a willingness to manage a schedule that includes at least 35% domestic and international travel.

To Apply for This Position

To apply for this position or to see other employment opportunities with the National MS Society please visit our online Career Center using the web-link below. We no longer accept mailed, faxed, or e-mailed resumes. Only those candidates deemed most qualified will be contacted to interview.